"Impossible," Ye Zhi stated with certainty. "From the moment you joined Taoxun, he would never trust you again."
Feng Jie suddenly understood. He realized he had been too close to the situation to see clearly.
Because he had defected too early, coupled with Ou Minghan's intermittent displays of extraordinary trust, he had always worried about whether he might end up being a spy within a spy within a spy.
But Ou Minghan was naturally suspicious. After his departure, Ou Minghan could no longer fully trust him. Even now, Ou Minghan only showed a sliver of trust after numerous tests.
If he were to return to Ou Minghan's side now, Ou Minghan would be even more suspicious, believing him to be a mole planted by Ye Zhi.
This was also why, after his departure, Ou Minghan had never considered letting him return, no matter how dire the circumstances.
"I understand, President Ye." Feng Jie looked at Ye Zhi with emotion, a hint of confusion in his eyes. Had Ye Zhi truly fallen in love? Why was she still clearer-headed than him?
He pondered for a moment before finally asking, "President Ye, I saw President Qi sending you to the company earlier. Are you two together?"
"Mm," Ye Zhi nodded. "Yes!"
Feng Jie was even more astonished. How could Ye Zhi, after falling in love, be so different from Ou Minghan?
When he had worked for Ou Minghan, any woman who interacted with Ou Minghan, whether intentionally or unintentionally, would be considered by Ou Minghan to be deliberately seducing him, prompting Feng Jie to investigate all her information overnight.
"Do you need my help?" Feng Jie asked.
"We're dating, what does that have to do with you? What kind of help would you provide?" Ye Zhi furrowed her brow, her gaze turning wary.
Feng Jie was acting so strangely. Did he have feelings for her, or for Qi Xuan? How had she never noticed before that Feng Jie had some emotional entanglements with them?
Feng Jie: ...
Although he didn't know what Ye Zhi was thinking, he could tell from her defensive look that she wasn't thinking about anything proper.
However, he was now certain that Ye Zhi was indeed in love! It was just that the effect of love on Ye Zhi was quite different from others.
He explained, "I mean, helping you check if President Qi had any girlfriends before, or how many he had..."
Ye Zhi breathed a sigh of relief, though she couldn't help but feel a bit speechless. "You mean doing a background check? Why is dating me like applying for a job here... You don't need to worry about this. We'll handle our relationship matters ourselves."
"Alright, alright." Feng Jie quickly agreed. Seeing Ye Zhi about to leave, Feng Jie hesitated before mustering the courage to ask, "President Ye, my annual leave..."
"We've been a bit busy lately. If you don't have anything urgent, how about scheduling your annual leave for the end of December, a few days before New Year's Day?" Ye Zhi suggested. "Of course, you can also choose another time if you prefer."
Feng Jie's heart leaped with joy. President Ye was truly considerate; she was actually granting him annual leave! And taking it before New Year's Day would mean his New Year holiday would be longer than others!
He nodded. "Then I'll follow your lead, President Ye, and take my annual leave before New Year's Day!"
Ye Zhi gave a few more instructions and then left.
In the afternoon, Qi Xuan came to pick Ye Zhi up from work.
As soon as Ye Zhi went downstairs, she saw Qi Xuan waiting for her by the car, holding a bouquet of flowers.
Qi Xuan walked over and handed her the bouquet, "Ah Zhi, this is for you."
Ye Zhi looked slightly surprised and asked with a chuckle, "What made you think of sending me flowers?"
Qi Xuan chuckled softly. "My girlfriend should have what everyone else has."
Ye Zhi nodded. "That's fine. It doesn't cost us much anyway, and it can be considered stimulating domestic demand and promoting consumption."
Qi Xuan: ...
Ye Zhi's points were always so unique, but they never seemed to be related to romance.
She also noticed his expression and said somewhat awkwardly, "Of course, I'm quite happy to receive flowers. The flowers are very beautiful, and I like them very much. Let me think about what to give you as a return gift..."
"Ah Zhi," Qi Xuan said with a hint of helplessness. "We are a couple now. When I give you gifts, it's because I genuinely want to treat you well, to give you all the good things. You don't need to give me a gift every time I give you one, to keep things so clearly divided."
Ye Zhi was slightly taken aback, understanding his meaning. Qi Xuan wanted her to give him a gift because he wanted to give her one, not to even things out.
"I understand," Ye Zhi smiled faintly.
Qi Xuan continued with a touch of regret, "Actually, if possible, I'd prefer to give you flowers that I've grown myself..."
Ye Zhi's face immediately showed a hint of difficulty. She couldn't help but say, "Maybe not? The lives of plants are also lives!"
Qi Xuan: ...
Why did he feel that after they confirmed their relationship, Ye Zhi had become even more blunt?
In fact, Ye Zhi was also quite embarrassed; she really couldn't control it!
She had always found it strange that Qi Xuan seemed to be good at everything, yet he had an inherent talent for killing plants.
If it weren't for the butler's diligent efforts to rescue them, the flowers she had given him would probably have "withered away to nothing" long ago.
"Ahem," Ye Zhi coughed twice, feeling a little guilty. "Well... I was just saying, I absolutely didn't mean to mock you."
"Alright, let's get in the car first," Qi Xuan said with a smile.
After they got into the car, Qi Xuan took her to see a house near the Qi family residence that was about to be sold.
The house was very nice, with good security in the neighborhood, and the price was quite reasonable. There were no ownership disputes, and it was ready to move in once furnished. Ye Zhi was very satisfied with it.
"On the weekend, I'll bring my parents to see the house. If they like it too, I'll buy it as soon as possible," Ye Zhi said.
"Okay," Qi Xuan nodded. "Shall I accompany you this weekend?"
"Sure," she agreed, then hesitated with a worried expression. "Qi Xuan, do you think... should I tell my parents the real reason for buying the house and moving?"
"Are you worried that if you tell them, moving is because you're concerned Ou Minghan might retaliate against the Ye family, and that would make them anxious?" Qi Xuan asked in a low voice.
Ye Zhi sighed softly and nodded.
Qi Xuan gently advised, "Ah Zhi, I know you want to protect them, and you've always done so. But they are your family, your comrades. The Ye family is facing potential danger now; you should trust them and face it together."
Ye Zhi slowly exhaled. She understood the reasoning, but she was accustomed to carrying the burden alone, protecting the Ye family by herself.
However, now, her parents trusted her implicitly, and her younger brother had grown into a sensible young man. She should trust them and face the danger together.
And Qi Xuan's words helped her make up her mind. "Okay, I'll talk to them properly."